Double Begonia Superba White - Begonia × tuberhybrida

Begonia 'Superba White' isa tuberous begonia with giant, very double flowers, as pretty as roses. Its flowers are pure white, tinged with pale pink on the reverse. This compact variety from the Superba series flowers for several months, from summer to autumn. In a pot on a shaded terrace, on a windowsill, or at the front of a border, this variety brightens up all slightly shaded spots.

'Superba White' belongs to the Begoniaceae family and the Begonia genus, rich in species originating from the tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Asia. It is a hybrid tuberous begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida), resulting from cross-breeding between several Andean species. It is a tender perennial, which develops from a flattened, brown tuber, serving as a storage organ. The plant has a bushy, compact habit, upright to slightly trailing; it reaches approximately 25 to 35 cm in height and 30 cm in width. The fleshy and fragile stems bear dense deciduous foliage formed of medium to dark green, asymmetrical, ovate to heart-shaped leaves, with a crenate margin, 8 to 12 cm long. The flowering extends from June until October with large, very double, slightly pink-tinged, creamy white male flowers, 10 to 12 cm in diameter, that have numerous rounded and overlapping petals; they almost hide the foliage. A few more single, female flowers coexist with the male flowers on the plant. The vegetation yellows and then dries at the end of the season, while the tuber enters dormancy.

In partial shade, Begonia 'Superba White' is perfect in large pots, planters, and borders not far from the house. In the garden, it can be placed near a path or terrace to enjoy its prolonged summer flowering. Pair with small variegated Hostas such as 'Fire and Ice' or a "black" Heuchera 'Black Pearl' for contrast. In a planter, it will be beautiful with a Lobelia 'Hot Water Blue' or an Impatiens Sunpatiens Vigorous Scarlet. In a large container, it will form a beautiful duo with a Plectranthus coleoides Variegatus with variegated foliage and a trailing habit.

Begonia Superba plants form a series created by horticultural selection to obtain compact plants bearing very large diameter flowers. Resulting from European hybridisation programmes on Andean tuberous begonias since the 20th century, these cultivars have been selected for the exceptional size of their double flowers, their regular habit suited to pots, and their ability to flower for a long time in summer in our temperate climates. They exist in varied colours, from white to red, including yellow and salmon.